Flexible draper belt drive for an agricultural harvesting machine

ABSTRACT

An agricultural harvesting machine including a flexible cutterbar and associated draper belts for carrying cut agricultural material to a center location. The belts are guided by a drive rollers and idler rollers. The idler roller for each belt is pivotable about an axis generally at 90 degrees to the axis of the belt and the drive roller for each belt is translatable axially to minimize diagonal stresses caused by flexing of the elongated endless belt.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to agricultural harvesting machines, suchas combines, and, more particularly to agricultural harvesting machinesincluding a cutting platform with a belt conveyor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An agricultural harvesting machine such as a combine includes a head anda feeder housing which remove the crop material from the field, gatherthe crop material and transport the crop material to a separator. In thecase of thinner stemmed crops such as soybeans, wheat, etc. which may becut with a sickle bar carrying a plurality of knives, the head may alsobe known as a cutting platform. The separator removes the grain cropmaterial from the non-grain crop material. The grain is cleaned anddeposited in a grain tank. When the grain tank becomes full, anunloading auger which is positioned alongside the combine duringharvesting is moved to the unloading position in which the auger extendsapproximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the combine. Thecombine drives alongside a vehicle into which the grain is to beunloaded, such as a semi-trailer, and the unloading auger is actuated todischarge the grain into the vehicle.

A cutting platform may generally be of two types. One type typically hasa sheet metal floor with a dual feed auger near the rear of the cuttingplatform for feeding the crop material longitudinally to the feederhousing. A cutting platform of this type with auger feed is relativelycommon.

Another type of cutting platform, also known as a draper platform,utilizes a flat, wide belt, referred to as a draper or draper belt toconvey crop material. The arrangement and number of belts vary amongplatforms. One style of draper platform has two or more side belts thatconvey crop material longitudinally, to the center of the platform,where a center feed belt moves the crop material laterally into thefeeder housing. Each belt is wrapped around a pair of rollers, one beinga drive roller and the other being an idler roller. An example of thistype draper arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,397, whichis assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

An advantage of a draper platform is that larger amounts of cropmaterial can be transported without plugging, etc. For example, withwide platforms approaching 40 feet or even larger, the amount of cropmaterial transported to the feeder housing can be substantial. With anauger feed platform, the crop material may bind between the auger andthe back wall of the platform. In contrast, with a draper platform, thecrop material is carried on top of the belt with less chance forplugging.

Advanced draper platforms provide a flexible cutting platform thatfollows the undulations of the field to more effectively collect cropmaterial. The more effective arrangement for a flexible cutterbarassembly is to have a series of pivotally connected float arms where thepivot point of the float arms is as close to the surface of the field aspractical. This feature allows greatly reduced draft loads when theagricultural harvester is traversing a field. In addition, it moreeffectively collects crop material that is close to the ground. Whileproviding superior harvesting, this arrangement provides additionalloads on the draper belt that is used to carry the crop material to acenter section for processing. This is because the pivot point of thefloat arm, which journals the rollers for the belt, is not in line withthe longitudinal rotational axis of the drive and idler rollers. As aresult, the flexing of the rollers during movement through a fieldcauses diagonal stresses on the rollers, which can lead to misalignment.

What is needed in the art, therefore, is an arrangement that minimizesthe stress loading on a draper belt used in a flexible cutterbarassembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention, in one form, is a flexible draper belt assembly for anagricultural harvesting machine movable in a given direction in whichthe assembly has at least one endless elongated belt positionedgenerally laterally with respect to the direction of movement of theagricultural machine. The endless belt extends over an idler roller anda drive roller and one of the rollers is translatable along itsrotational axis to alleviate diagonal stresses on the endless elongatedbelt.

In another form, the invention includes a cutting platform for use withan agricultural harvesting machine having at least one platform sectionincluding a frame and a plurality of float arms pivotally coupled withthe frame. An endless belt is carried by the plurality of float arms anda cutterbar assembly is also carried by the plurality of float arms. Theendless belt and cutterbar assembly are movable in a localized manneracross the cutting platform in upwards and downwards directions. Theendless belt extends over an idler roller and a drive roller carried byfloat arms and one of the idler and drive roller is translatable alongits axis to alleviate diagonal stresses on the endless belt.

In yet another form, the invention is an agricultural harvesting machineincluding a feeder housing, a cutting platform attached to the feederhousing with the cutting platform including at least one platformsection having a frame. A plurality of float arms are pivotally coupledwith the frame and an endless belt is carried by the plurality of floatarms, as well as a cutterbar assembly. The cutterbar assembly is movablein a localized manner across the cutting platform in upwards anddownwards directions. The endless belt is positioned over idler anddriver rollers and one of the idler and drive roller are movable in anaxial direction to alleviate diagonal stresses on the belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, top view of an agricultural combine including acutting platform embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the agricultural combine ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, cross section view of the leading edge of thecutting platform shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of driver rollers for a draper platformshown in FIGS. 1-3:

FIG. 5 is fragmentary, sectional view of the mounting for the driverollers shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and, more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, and3, there is shown an agricultural harvesting machine in the form of acombine 10 including an embodiment of a cutting platform 12 of thepresent invention. Combine 10 includes a feeder housing 14 which isdetachably coupled with cutting platform 12. Feeder housing 14 receivesthe crop material from cutting platform 12, both grain and non-graincrop material, and transports the crop material to a separator withincombine 10 in known manner (not shown). The grain crop material isseparated from the non-grain crop material, cleaned and transported to agrain tank. The non-grain crop material is transported to a chopper,blower, etc. in known manner and distributed back to the field.

Cutting platform 12 generally includes a plurality of platform sections16, 18 and 20, a cutterbar assembly 22 and a reel assembly 24. Eachplatform section 16, 18 and 20 generally includes a frame 26, aplurality of float arms 28 coupled with a respective frame 26 at pivotpoints 27, a cutterbar 30 carried by the outboard ends of respectivefloat arms 28, a plurality of endless belts 32, and a plurality of beltguides 54.

As specifically shown in FIG. 3, cutterbar assembly 22 includescutterbars 30 carried at the outboard ends of float arms 28 (i.e., atthe leading edge of a platform section 16, 18 or 20). Each cutterbar 30includes a plurality of knives 42 carried by a bar (not specificallyshown). The bar is formed from a metal which is flexible to an extentallowing a desired degree of flexure across the width of cuttingplatform 12. In the embodiment shown, a majority of each cutterbar 30 iscarried by a respective first platform section 18 or second platformsection 20, with a lesser extent at the adjacent inboard ends of eachcutterbar 30 being carried by center platform section 16.

A plurality of knife guards 46 are positioned in opposition to knives 42for providing opposing surfaces for cutting the crop material withknives 42. A plurality of keepers 48 spaced along cutterbars 30 have adistal end above cutterbars 30 for maintaining cutterbars 30 in placeduring reciprocating movement.

Float arms 28 are pivoted at their connection locations 27 with arespective frame 26. A float cylinder (not shown) coupled between arespective frame 26 and float arm 28 may be used for raising or loweringthe outboard end of float arm(s) 28 at the leading edge of cuttingplatform 12. Each float cylinder may also be placed in a “float”position allowing the connected float arm 28 to generally follow theground contour during operation. More particularly, each float cylinderis fluidly connected with an accumulator (also not shown) carried by aplatform section 16, 18 or 20. An accumulator (not shown) allows fluidto flow to and from attached float cylinders such that no pressurebuild-up occurs. In this manner, the pistons associated with each floatcylinder are free to move back and forth longitudinally, therebyallowing float arms 28 to follow the ground contour. When not in a floatmode, float cylinders can be actuated to move float arms 28 in an upwardor downward direction. In the embodiment shown, each float cylinder maybe a hydraulic cylinder, but could possibly be configured as a gascylinder for a particular application.

Each float arm 28 is also associated with a respective guide 54. Theplurality of guides 54 for each platform section 16, 18 and 20 carry andare positioned within the loops of a plurality of endless belts 32described in detail below.

Depending upon the width, reel assembly 24 may include two reels 56,center reel support arm 58 and a pair of outer reel support arms 60.Outer reel support arms 60 are pivotally coupled at one end thereof withan outboard end of a respective first platform section 18 or secondplatform section 20. Outer reel support arms 60 rotationally carry arespective reel 56 at an opposite end thereof. Each outer reel supportarm 60 may be selectively moved up and down using a hydraulic cylinder,and the pair of hydraulic cylinders are typically coupled in parallel sothat they move together upon actuation.

Center reel support arm 58 is pivotally coupled at one end thereof withcenter platform section 16 above the opening leading to feeder housing14. Center reel support arm 58 rotationally carries an inboard end ofeach reel 56 at an opposite end thereof. A hydraulic motor 62 or othersuitable mechanical drive rotationally drives each reel 56. Moreparticularly, hydraulic motor 62 drives a common drive shaft 64 througha chain and sprocket or other suitable arrangement (not shown). Therotational speed of reels 56 can be adjusted by an operator by adjustingthe rotational speed of hydraulic motor 62. Depending upon the width ofplatform 12, only one reel may be used. Center reel support arm 58 maybe selectively moved up and down using a hydraulic cylinder (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the endless belts 32 extend between driverollers 70 and idler rollers (not shown). The idler rollers are remotefrom the drive rollers and, together with the drive rollers 70, providethe function of journals about which the belt 32 extends for rotation todeliver crop inward towards the center of the work machine. The rollersadditionally position the belt 32 axially so that it cooperates with theassociated components of the cutterbar assembly 22. FIG. 2 shows aportion of the belt 32 wrapped around a drive roller 70. The idlerrollers are positioned at the opposite end of the respective belts and,in the illustrated embodiment, provide rotation about an axis formovement of the draper belt 32 but, in addition, have the ability topivot through a limited arc about an axis that is generally at 90degrees to the general plane of each draper belt 32. The idler rollersfor the outermost end of the cutting platform additionally provide atensioning function for both belts on the respective platform sectionsin a known manner. As herein shown, the agricultural harvesting machine10 has a total of four laterally extending belts 32, each of which has acorresponding drive roller 70 and idler roller. It should be apparent,however, to those skilled in the art that there may be more or lessbelts and still function in accordance with the invention.

As stated previously, the cutterbar assembly 22 has the ability to movein a localized up and down fashion to closely follow the contour of thefield being harvested. Because the pivot 27 is significantly lower thanrotational axis of the rollers 70 to improve draft loads, this movementcauses diagonal stresses in the endless belt 32.

In accordance with the present invention, the drive rollers 70 aretranslatable in a fore and aft direction to minimize, if not eliminate,stresses occurring because of flexing of the cutterbar assembly 22. Thedrive rollers 70 are journalled within a carriage 72, having a forwardplate 74, connecting rods 76, and a rear housing 78. The drive rollers70 are appropriately journalled at plate 74 and at housing 78. As shownparticularly in FIG. 5, housing 78 is connected to a float arm 28 at apivot connection generally indicated by reference character 77 includinga pin 80, secured to the proximal end of float arm 28 and a slidecasting 84 embracing the pin 80. The slide casting 84 is pivotallyconnected to the housing 78 through a yoke 82 at a pin 86 such thatmovement fore and aft along the axis of drive roller 70 is permitted bythe pivotal connections at pins 86 and 80. In addition, sidewaysmovement of the carriage 72 is permitted along pin 80 to aid in thetensioning of the belts 32. Furthermore the yoke 82 also permits limitedpivoting motion about an axis that is generally transverse to the planeof the belts 32.

The rearward movement is limited by a stop 88 that defines the rearmostaxial displacement of the housing 78 and, thus, the roller 70. Theforward end of the carriage 72 in the form of the plate 74 slides on abar associated with the cutterbar assembly 22 and the stop 88 preventsdisplacement to the extent that the plate 74 would not be supported bythe plate associated with the cutterbar. In addition, forward movementis limited by housing 78 abutting slide casting 84.

As illustrated, a pair of drive rollers 70 are in a common carriage 72and both connect to housing 78. As particularly shown in FIG. 5, housing78 connects to a gearbox 90 that drives both pairs of rollers 70 in thecommon direction to cause crop material to flow towards the center ofthe work machine. Gearbox 90 has a single input 92, which receives arotary input from a hydraulic motor 94 shown schematically. Thus, thehydraulic motor 94 drives the rollers 70 to move crop inward toward thecenter of the work machine.

Rollers 70 have a groove 96 that receives a corresponding rib on theinner facing side of belt 32 so as to position it axially.

In operation, the harvesting machine 10 traverses the field and thefloat arms 28 move up or down as-needed to closely follow the terrain.In the configuration shown, the pivot for the float arms 28 is below theaxis of rotation of the drive and idler rollers. This causes flexure anddiagonal stresses in the belts 32. By enabling the drive rollers 70 totranslate axially, the diagonal stresses on the belt are alleviated andthe possibility of misalignment of the belt is substantially minimized.

The pairing of the drive rollers 70 enables a more efficient utilizationof the rotary power source, whether it be in hydraulic form, asillustrated, or another. The pivoting connection enabling thetranslation of the drive rollers provides a robust and effective systemthat is relatively insensitive to debris and other operationalconditions that would prevent movement of the drive rollers 70.

Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent thatvarious modifications can be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

1. A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machinecomprising: at least one platform section including a frame, a pluralityof float arms pivotally coupled with said frame, an endless belt carriedby said plurality of float arms, a cutterbar assembly carried by saidplurality of float arms, said endless belt and said cutterbar assemblybeing movable in a localized manner across said cutting platform inupwards and downwards direction, and an idler roller and a drive rollerover which said endless belt extends, said idler roller and drive rollerbeing carried by a float arm and, wherein one of said idler and driveroller is translatable along its axis to alleviate diagonal stresses onsaid endless belt wherein said drive roller translates axially relativeto said float arm through a pivoting link connection.
 2. The cuttingplatform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said idler roller is pivotableabout an axis at right angles with respect to the plane of saidelongated belt.
 3. The cutting platform as claimed in claim 1, having apair of elongated belts and associated idler and drive rollers.
 4. Thecutting platform as claimed in claim 1, having two pairs of drive beltsand associated idler and drive rollers, said belts having the driverollers adjacent drive rollers at the point wherein the adjacent beltsmeet and said belts are driven from a common drive.
 5. The cuttingplatform as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a gear train tocouple the drive rollers together for driving by a single rotary powersource.
 6. The cutting platform as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidrotary power source is a hydraulic drive.
 7. The cutting platform asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot point for said float arms on saidframe is below the plane of the endless belt whereby the diagonalstresses of flexible movement of said belt are alleviated by movement ofthe drive roller along its axis.
 8. The cutting platform as claimed inclaim 1 further comprising at least one stop to limit fore and aftmovement of said drive roller.
 9. An agricultural harvesting machine,comprising: a feeder housing, a cutting platform attached to said feederhousing, said cutting platform including at least one platform sectionhaving a frame, a plurality of float arms pivotally coupled with saidframe, an endless belt carried by said plurality of float arms, and acutterbar assembly carried by said plurality of float arms and movablein a localized manner across said cutting platform in upwards anddownwards directions, an idler and driver rollers over which said beltis positioned, one of said idler and drive roller being movable in anaxial direction to alleviate diagonal stresses on said belt, whereinsaid drive roller translates in an axial direction and wherein saiddrive roller is connected to said float arm with a pivoting link. 10.The agricultural harvesting as claimed in claim 9, wherein said idlerroller is pivotable about an axis generally at right angles to the planeof said elongated belt.
 11. The agricultural harvesting machine asclaimed in claim 9, having a pair of elongated endless belts andassociated drive and idler rollers.
 12. The agricultural harvestingmachine as claimed in claim 11, having two pairs of endless beltsadjacent to each other and wherein the drive rollers for adjacent beltsare at the end adjacent the junction between the belts.
 13. Theagricultural harvesting machine of claim 12, further comprising a gearbox receiving a common input and providing a rotary output to saidadjacent drive rollers.
 14. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim13, wherein the rotary input to said gear box is a hydraulic drive.